Spanish Verbs With Prepositions
In English you think about something and dream of it. In Spanish the small word is different, and it does not translate one to one. The best way is to memorize the verb and preposition together, as one unit.
Quick answer
- Pensar en = to think about: Pienso en mi familia.
- Soñar con = to dream of: Sueño con viajar.
- Empezar a + infinitive: Empiezo a trabajar.
Verbs followed by a, de, en, con
Here are the most useful pairs. Learn them in groups by preposition.
| Pair | Meaning |
|---|---|
| pensar en | to think about |
| soñar con | to dream of |
| depender de | to depend on |
| empezar a | to start (doing) |
| aprender a | to learn (to do) |
| ayudar a | to help (do) |
| tratar de | to try to |
| acabar de | to have just |
| insistir en | to insist on |
| contar con | to count on |
| quejarse de | to complain about |
| enamorarse de | to fall in love with |
With a noun
These verbs are followed by a noun or pronoun after the preposition.
Examples
- Pienso en mi viaje.I am thinking about my trip.Pensar en.
- Sueño con una casa grande.I dream of a big house.Soñar con.
- Eso depende del clima.That depends on the weather.Depender de (de + el = del).
- Cuento contigo.I am counting on you.Contar con.
With an infinitive
Some pairs are followed by an infinitive instead. Look for a, de, and en.
Examples
- Empiezo a trabajar a las ocho.I start working at eight.Empezar a.
- Aprendo a cocinar.I am learning to cook.Aprender a.
- Trato de dormir temprano.I try to sleep early.Tratar de.
- Insisten en pagar la cuenta.They insist on paying the bill.Insistir en.
Pensar en vs. pensar que
Pensar en means to think about someone or something. Pensar que gives an opinion. Pensar plus an infinitive is a plan.
Examples
- Pienso en ti todos los días.I think about you every day.Thinking about.
- Pienso que es una buena idea.I think that it is a good idea.Opinion.
- Pienso viajar en diciembre.I plan to travel in December.Plan.
Spanish around the world
- The pairs are the same in every Spanish-speaking country, so you can use them anywhere.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Pienso de mi familia.
Correct: Pienso en mi familia.
Pensar takes en.
Incorrect: Sueño de viajar.
Correct: Sueño con viajar.
Soñar takes con.
Incorrect: Empiezo trabajar.
Correct: Empiezo a trabajar.
Empezar takes a before an infinitive.
Incorrect: Depende en el clima.
Correct: Depende del clima.
Depender takes de.
Remember the habit
- Learn each verb with its preposition as one unit.
- Pensar en, soñar con, depender de, contar con go with a noun.
- Empezar a, aprender a, tratar de go with an infinitive.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Spanish verbs need prepositions?
Many verbs are paired with a specific preposition by habit, and it often does not match English.
How can I learn them?
Learn each pair as a unit with an example sentence, and review them in groups.
What is the difference between pensar en and pensar que?
Pensar en is to think about something. Pensar que gives an opinion.
Does the preposition change with an infinitive?
Often it stays the same, but some verbs use another: tratar de, empezar a.
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